Speeches (Lines) for Bates in "History of Henry V"

Court. Brother John Bates, is not that the morning which
breaks yonder?

Bates. I think it be: but we have no great cause to desire
the approach of day.

Henry V. Even as men wrecked upon a sand, that look to be
washed off the next tide.

Bates. He hath not told his thought to the king?

Henry V. No; nor it is not meet he should. For, though I
speak it to you, I think the king is but a man, as I
am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me: the
element shows to him as it doth to me; all his
senses have but human conditions: his ceremonies
laid by, in his nakedness he appears but a man; and
though his affections are higher mounted than ours,
yet, when they stoop, they stoop with the like
wing. Therefore when he sees reason of fears, as we
do, his fears, out of doubt, be of the same relish
as ours are: yet, in reason, no man should possess
him with any appearance of fear, lest he, by showing
it, should dishearten his army.

Bates. He may show what outward courage he will; but I
believe, as cold a night as 'tis, he could wish
himself in Thames up to the neck; and so I would he
were, and I by him, at all adventures, so we were quit here.

Henry V. By my troth, I will speak my conscience of the king:
I think he would not wish himself any where but
where he is.

Bates. Then I would he were here alone; so should he be
sure to be ransomed, and a many poor men's lives saved.

Williams. That's more than we know.

Bates. Ay, or more than we should seek after; for we know
enough, if we know we are the kings subjects: if
his cause be wrong, our obedience to the king wipes
the crime of it out of us.

Williams. 'Tis certain, every man that dies ill, the ill upon
his own head, the king is not to answer it.

Bates. But I do not desire he should answer for me; and
yet I determine to fight lustily for him.

Williams. Keep thy word: fare thee well.

Bates. Be friends, you English fools, be friends: we have
French quarrels enow, if you could tell how to reckon.